Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher

Taxobox
name = Seychelles Paradise-flycatcher


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image_caption =
status = CR | status_system = IUCN3.1
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Passeriformes
familia = Monarchidae
genus = "Terpsiphone"
species = "T. corvina"
binomial = "Terpsiphone corvina"
binomial_authority = (E. Newton, 1867)

The Seychelles Paradise-flycatcher ("Terpsiphone corvina") is a rare bird from the genus of paradise-flycatchers ("Terpsiphone") within the family Monarchidae. It is endemic to the Seychelles.

Description

The length of the males is about 20 cm. In addition there are two long black central tail feathers which can reach a length of 30 cm. The females can reach a length between 16 and 18 cm (including the tail). The males are entirely glossy black with a deep blue sheen. The upperparts of the females including wings and tail are reddish brown. The underparts are pale cream white. Facial skin, bill, and legs are blue.

Distribution

It lives in the Veuve Nature Reserve on La Digue, Seychelles where it inhabits dense Calophyllum forests.

Ecology

It preys on insects in flight or from a perch. It is also feed on larvaes and spiders. The oval bowl-shaped nest is build on branches and consists of twigs, palm fibre, and spider webs.

References

* J. Del Hoyo, A. Elliot, David A. Christie (Editors): "Handbook of the Birds of the World". Band 11: "Old World Flycatchers to Old World Warblers." Lynx Edicions 2006, ISBN 849655306X
*Malcolm Penny: "The Birds of the Seychelles and the Outlying Islands", Collins, London 1974
*Alien mammal eradication and quarantine on inhabited islands in the Seychelles [http://issg.appfa.auckland.ac.nz/database/species/reference_files/ratrat/Merton.pdf PDF Online]

External links

*IUCN2007|assessors=BirdLife International|year=2004|id=21634|title=Terpsiphone corvina|downloaded=15 March 2008
* [http://www.arkive.org/species/GES/birds/Terpsiphone_corvina/ ArKive - Pictures and Information about Terpsiphone corvina]
* [http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2007/01/seychelles_paradise-flycatcher.html Darwin lifeline for rare paradise-flycatcher]
* [http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/search/species_search.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=6069&m=0 BirdLife Species factsheet]